Page 73 of The Alpha's Forbidden Secret Baby

She ate slow because of being full yet she was eager to eat her cheesecake. It melted in her mouth, leaving a delicious taste of strawberry as an aftertaste.

Xander made quick work of his food and sipped his wine. She fed him a piece of cake and bit back a groan when his eyes closed and he pulled the cake into his mouth, savoring it.

Their night was filled with laughter. It was one of the best nights she had had in a while and she was glad she came out even though she’d been very tired.

“Before we leave, there is something I want to ask you,” he said, pulling her thought back to him.

“What is it?” she asked with furrowed brows.

Xander got up and took her hand in his, pulling her to her feet.

“I know you haven’t spoken to your parents in a long time and I am certain you don’t want to.”

She nodded slowly as dread filled her.

“But there is something I wanted to do and so I asked the only other important man in your life and I am glad to say that he agreed to this.”

Xander let go of her hand as she stared at him, still confused by everything that was happening. She gasped as he lowered himself to his knees in front of her and dipped his hand into his pocket.

“Rayla, my Luna. I’ve thought so much about what I would say when this moment finally arrived, and I assure you, there have been a lot of torn papers as a result of my frustration. Not because there are no words to write but because words are not enough to explain the hold you have over me.”

Rayla let out a choked sob.

“You’re my world, Rayla. When you left, everything was gray. There was no color in my life and I became a machine, a slave to the rules that governed my position, governed me. The rules that kept me from telling you the truth.” He paused, took a breath, then continued. “The truth is that nothing matters without you. The past month has been the happiest I’ve lived in thirteen years. Finding our son and finding you could not have happened by chance, and I am grateful for the shadows that brought him to my room and took me to you. I want to be in your life more than anything else.”

Xander laughed and shook his head, looking down at the floor.

“I suppose I’m talking too much for a man who says words fail him.”

She laughed with him even as her heart beat fast in my chest and her breath caught in my throat.

“Ask me,” she said through a closed throat. “Ask me.”

He looked up at her with eyes that told her more than any words he could ever utter would say. His eyes promised her a lifetime of love and happiness, of understanding and care. His eyes told her he would always be there for her and that she did not need to ever be afraid. His eyes sang a song of love and devotion.

“Rayla.”

“Yes?”

“Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife and my Luna?”

“Yes.”

He rushed to his feet and yanked her off mine, wrapping her tight in a hug as he spun them around.

“Thank you. I love you so much, and I promise that I always will.”

“I love you too, Xander.”

He set her down and slid the ring on her finger, kissing it.

Finally, everything is as it should be.

Epilogue - Rayla

Rayla stretched as she got up from bed. Today was one of the most important days of her life. She was getting married to the love of her life, and nothing could ruin her day.

It has been five weeks since Xander proposed to her and she could still remember the magical night that they had after she said yes. Xander quickly paid the bill, and together, the two of them walked away from the restaurant, eager to be alone.

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